Many of those supporters paid at least $250 to attend an early morning brunch and help Clinton lock down the Democratic presidential nomination. Some believe the former first lady's years in the national political arena seasoned her to the core and shaped her into a powerful leader qualified to do every job this nation's president will ever take on.
“She's been beaten up, and she's still standing,” said Susan Molaris, of Missoula.
“I'm very passionate about seeing Hillary in the White House,” said Suzanne Sterrett, of Missoula.
The fundraiser at the Hilton Garden Inn drew an estimated 350 people. The banquet room was closed to the media, but Clinton supporters visited about their experience before and after the brunch.
They explained why they paid big money to see Clinton in Missoula, and why they believe she should sit in the Oval Office come January 2009. One just showed off her little pink cowboy boots, but she's got a few years before she can cast a ballot, anyway.
Sterrett, who volunteered at the fundraiser, said she had never given her time to a political candidate before. But she did for Clinton.
“She's smart. She's got stamina. She knows the ups and downs. And she is about solutions,” Sterrett said.
In the banquet room, small American flags waved out of centerpiece bouquets and the sound of clinking glasses and clapping people filtered to the lobby. Clinton spoke to her audience for about 20 minutes and then left for a town hall meeting at the airport.
“Everyone seemed to just hang on her words,” said state Sen. Carol Juneau, D-Browning.
It was as if the audience was in the presence of an experienced person with whom they could feel secure, said Sara Simkowitz, of Missoula.
“The Hillary in there was so calm and peaceful. That's what she engendered in me,” Simkowitz said.
Ginny Merriam, who volunteered, said Clinton did not deliver a stump speech to those donors and volunteers. Rather, she tailored her talk to her audience, largely people who already plan to vote for her. (Merriam is the communications director for the city of Missoula, but said she attended the event on her own and did not represent the city there.)
Merriam said Clinton told the group she wanted Democrats to stick together and work hard. She also said Clinton promised to support her opponent if it's his name on the ticket come November - “You can take that to the bank.”
The presidential contender shared her experience running for office in New York, too. She isn't just going to pay attention to big cities, like New York City - or Billings and Missoula, Merriam said. Rather, Clinton told her audience she understands rural areas are important because upstate New York helped her win her U.S. Senate seat.
“She cares about rural issues and rural people,” Merriam said.
Clinton was pressed for time, Merriam said, and tried to leave quickly, but she didn't quite make it. Merriam said people mobbed her and pressed up to the front of the room.
“She hugged people and shook their hands and signed their support posters. She was so warm when you got up close to her,” she said.
Clinton offered Ryan Halligan, 13, some inspiration. That and her autograph on a campaign poster the Meadow Hill Middle School student brought with him.
“I'll just date it and put it up in my room. When I get enough money, I'll frame it,” Ryan said.
Ryan, who would like to hold public office one day, said the poster will hang next to one former North Carolina Sen. John Edwards signed for him. Last year, Edwards visited Missoula before he dropped out of the race for the Democratic presidential nomination.
Some folks dressed up for the affair. They strutted in shiny black patent leather shoes and strapped red leather bags over their shoulders.
Hannah Morin, 4, walked in those pink cowboy boots. To match, she wore a pink-and-white lace dress, and over that, a pink-and-white faux fur coat.
“It's a pink day,” Hannah said.
And as far as she was concerned, it also was a day “to see the president,” even if she hasn't been sworn in yet.
Hannah's grandfather, Leroy Morin, of Arlee, said he doesn't much care for the men in the race, but he backs Clinton for her strength and intellect. He has four daughters and seemed to know a thing or four about females.
At least one woman has got something he said he believes the White House needs: “I'm hoping that a woman will have her own mind.”
Before the brunch, Elizabeth Kronk, of Missoula, said the substance of Clinton's message has impressed her. Kronk, a member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, said she likes the fact that Clinton recognizes the Indian Health Service is chronically underfunded.
The former first lady is well-equipped to be the the country's next top executive, she said.
Molaris said Clinton's plan to provide universal health care appealed to her. As a nurse, Molaris said she sees a lot of people going without the care and medications they need because of the cost.
“There's no excuse for that in our country,” Molaris said.
Polls have shown Clinton appeals to folks in rural areas, but Sen. Juneau said the presidential hopeful would make changes that help urban areas, too. She said universal pre-kindergarten is one, and so is universal health care.
“We all need quality health care and access to that,” Juneau said.
Juneau also said it was good to see so many people willing to contribute to Clinton's campaign.
“I think she's got a wonderful opportunity to win the primary,” she said. “I'm going to vote for her.”
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